December, 2015 - Trucking Moves America

Illinois Times: Trucking, A Bedrock of the Economy

December 30, 2015/in News /by Editorial Staff

Trucks: we see them every day on Illinois roads. We ride alongside them on the freeway. Many may be surprised to learn that the professional trucking industry has been a critical part of making the holidays happen for America’s families. From the Christmas trees that came from our forests far and wide, to the holiday meal that was cooked for your family, to the coats that keep you and your loved ones warm – trucking delivered the holidays.

The fact is that 70 percent of Illinois communities depend exclusively on trucks to move their goods. Fewer trucks on the road would result in more expensive products and slower delivery times. Remove trucking altogether, and essential cargo would not arrive to our doorsteps at all.

Trucking is not only connecting the country and delivering goods that keep us healthy and comfortable, it’s also an economic engine that powers Illinois.

The trucking industry means jobs here in the Prairie State. The industry accounts for 278,920 jobs providing a good middle-class income. That’s nearly one out of every 18 jobs in the state and a substantial portion of the nearly seven million people employed nationwide in trucking jobs.

As of April 2014, there were 23,730 trucking companies located in our state, and most of them are small, locally-owned businesses. These companies employ our neighbors and friends.

The state’s trucking industry also keeps the larger, statewide economy moving, allowing businesses to prosper – to the benefit of business owners, employees and consumers of all stripes. Trucks transport 78 percent of total manufactured tonnage in the state – 1,665,727 tons per day.

Combine these benefits together, and trucking remains a top contributor to our nation’s economy. So next time a tractor-trailer passes by, or you’re at the local grocery store as a truck docks in the delivery bay, you’re not just looking at an impressive 18-wheeler traveling the road with your holiday meal that will stock the shelves, or toys for the children in your family. You’re looking at a vital machine for Illinois’ economic growth, prosperity and future.

Kevin Burch is co-chair of Trucking Moves America Forward which describes itself as an “industry-wide movement to create a positive image for the industry, to ensure that policymakers and the public understand the importance of the trucking industry to the nation’s economy, and to build the political and grassroots support necessary to strengthen and grow the industry in the future.”

Link: Illinois Times

NH Business Review: Trucking is Essential to NH’s Economy

December 11, 2015/in News /by Editorial Staff

Trucks: we see them every day on New Hampshire roads. We ride alongside them on the interstate. As the nation gears up for the busy holiday season, many may be surprised to learn that the professional trucking industry is a critical part of making the holidays happen for America’s families.

From the Christmas trees that come from our forests far and wide, to the holiday meal that will be cooked for your family, to the coats to keep you and your loved ones warm – trucking delivers the holidays.

The fact is that 92 percent of New Hampshire’s communities depend exclusively on trucks to move their goods. Fewer trucks on the road would result in more expensive products and slower delivery times. Remove trucking altogether and essential cargo would not arrive to our doorsteps at all.

Trucking is not only connecting the country and delivering goods that keep us healthy and comfortable; it’s also an economic engine that powers New Hampshire.

The trucking industry means jobs in the Granite State. The industry accounts for 26,930 jobs providing a good middle-class income. That’s nearly one out of every 20 jobs in the state and a substantial portion of the nearly seven million people employed nationwide in trucking jobs.

From logistics managers to technicians and maintenance personnel, the trucking industry is home to a diverse group of professionals committed to delivering goods on time and safely.

Out of New Hampshire’s total industry jobs in 2013, truck drivers alone – whether heavy, tractor-trailer or delivery – make up 10,640 jobs. Total industry wages paid in New Hampshire for 2013 exceeded $1.2 billion. This economic activity brings in $79 million in federal and state roadway taxes.

New Hampshire’s trucking industry is strengthening small businesses – an ever-important element of our economy and arguably the most important element of America’s long-term economic stability. As of April 2014, there were 4,150 trucking companies located in our state, and most of them are small, locally-owned businesses. These companies employ our neighbors and friends and keep America moving.

The state’s trucking industry also keeps the larger, statewide economy moving, allowing businesses to prosper – to the benefit of business owners, employees and consumers of all stripes.

Trucks transport 98 percent of total manufactured tonnage in the state – 110,303 tons per day.

Trucking continues to place the safety of drivers and motorists first through driver training and student education programs, and has made significant gains in the past few years.

Combine these benefits together, and trucking remains a top contributor of our state and nation’s economy. So next time a tractor-trailer passes by, or you’re at the local grocery store as a truck docks in the delivery bay, you’re not just looking at an impressive 18-wheeler traveling the road with your holiday meal that will stock the shelves, or toys for the children in your family, you’re looking at a vital machine for New Hampshire’s economic growth, prosperity and future.

Kevin Burch, an executive with Dayton, Ohio-based trucking firm Jet Express Inc. is co-chair of Trucking Moves America Forward, a trucking industry campaign.

Link: NHBR

Trucking Moves America Forward Applauds Passage of Long-Term Highway Funding Bill

December 7, 2015/in Press Releases /by Editorial Staff

Trucking Moves America Forward (TMAF), the industry-wide trucking image and education movement, applauds the U.S. Congress for passing a long-term highway funding bill. The critical legislation, which President Obama signed into law on Friday, December 4, ensures increased safety and efficiency for professional truck drivers and motorists alike.

“The long-overdue passage of a bipartisan highway funding bill is great news for America’s truck drivers, families and the motoring public,” said Kevin Burch, co-chairman of TMAF, president of Jet Express, Inc., and second vice chairman of American Trucking Associations. “I congratulate Congress for taking such an important safety step in improving our nation’s road and bridges.”

The $305 billion measure, which includes several major transportation and logistics-related improvements, puts an end to the short-term patches that have financed infrastructure projects since 2009.

The professional trucking industry drives $682 billion in revenue every year, making it a vital contributor to the nation’s economy. Seven million trucking professionals nationwide move food, fuel and critical cargo in manufacturing, healthcare, retail and more.

Nearly a third of our nation’s roads are in poor or mediocre condition, and one out of every nine bridges are structurally deficient, according to the American Society of Civil Engineers report card. TMAF has advocated for infrastructure spending to improve highway networks that are most critical to the movement of freight and interstate travel. Improving our nation’s highways also prioritizes the safety of the motoring public.

“By investing in America’s transportation infrastructure, our nation’s legislators are investing in the safety of the 3.4 million professional truck drivers that drive our roads each day,” added Todd Spencer, executive vice president of The Owner-Operator Independent Drivers Association. “The bill passage is welcome news for the entire trucking industry.”

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About Trucking Moves America Forward
Trucking Moves America Forward is a long-term industry-wide movement established to create a positive image for the industry, to ensure that policymakers and the public understand the importance of the trucking industry to the nation’s economy, and to build the political and grassroots support necessary to strengthen and grow the industry in the future. To learn more, and to join the movement, visit www.TruckingMovesAmerica.com. Join us through social media:
www.facebook.com/TruckingFWD
www.youtube.com/TruckingFWD
www.twitter.com@TruckingFWD

Trucking Delivers the Holidays

December 2, 2015/in News /by Editorial Staff

Trucks. We see them every day on New Mexico roads. We ride alongside them on the interstates.
As the nation gears up for the busy holiday season, many may be surprised to learn that the professional trucking industry is a critical part of making the holidays happen for America’s families. From the Christmas trees that come from our forests, the holiday meal that will be cooked for your family, and the clothes on your back — trucking delivers the holidays.

The fact is that 89 percent of New Mexico communities depend exclusively on trucks to move their goods. Fewer trucks on the road would result in more expensive products and slower delivery times. Remove trucking altogether, and essential cargo would not arrive to our doorsteps at all.

Trucking is not only connecting the country and delivering goods that keep us healthy and comfortable — it’s also an economic engine that powers New Mexico.

The trucking industry means jobs in the Land of Enchantment. The industry accounts for 32,460 jobs providing a good middle-class income. That’s nearly one out of every 19 jobs in the state, and a substantial portion of the nearly seven million people employed nationwide in trucking jobs.

From logistics managers, to technicians and maintenance personnel, the trucking industry is home to a diverse group of professionals committed to delivering goods on time and safely. Of New Mexico’s total industry jobs in 2013, truck drivers alone — whether heavy, tractor-trailer, or delivery — make up nearly 14,610 jobs. Total industry wages paid in New Mexico for 2013 exceeded $1.4 billion. This economic activity brings in $311 million in federal and state roadway taxes.

New Mexico’s trucking industry is strengthening small businesses — an ever-important element of our economy and arguably the most important element of America’s long-term economic stability. As of April 2014, there were 3,840 trucking companies located in our state, and most of them are small, locally-owned businesses. These companies employ our neighbors and friends and keep America moving.

The state’s trucking industry also keeps the larger, statewide economy moving, allowing businesses to prosper — to the benefit of business owners, employees, and consumers of all stripes. Trucks transport 91 percent of total manufactured tonnage in the state — 134,076 tons per day.

Trucking continues to place the safety of drivers and motorists first through driver training and student education programs, and has made significant gains in the past few years. Combine these benefits together, and trucking remains a top contributor of our nation’s economy.

So the next time a tractor-trailer passes by, or you’re at the local grocery store as a truck docks in the delivery bay, you’re not just looking at an impressive 18-wheeler traveling the road with your holiday meal that will stock the shelves, or toys for the children in your family, you’re looking at a vital machine for New Mexico’s economic growth, prosperity and future.

Link: Biz Journals